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E. A. COREY.

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APPLICATION man MAY 2. ma,

Patented Dec.19,1916.

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EDGAR A. COREY, 0F BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec, 19, 1916,

Application filed May 2, 1916. Serial N 0. 94,932.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDGAR A. COREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Toys, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to amusement apparatus and is intended for use more partic ularly as a toy although its principles are adaptable upon a. larger scale to apparatus designed for use as a roller coaster. The instarting platform without requiring the child or other person operating the car to move about to such an extent as to become tired.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my improvements; Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the same; Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4c is an enlarged detail.

In constructing the device for use as a toy, the track may be conveniently formed of sections of sheet metal stamped to proper sectional form, the longitudinal sections of the track being soldered or otherwise rigidly secured together so as to form a continuous track. The initial or starting end of the track will be elevated and may be provided with a horizontal portion or starting platform, indicated at 1, from one end of which the track will extend downwardly on a steep inclined plane, as shown at 2, and a tower or other supporting structure 3 will be provided to support the said platform and inclined portion of the track. The inclined portion 2 of the track merges into a vertically disposed spiral portion 4 which, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, extends upwardly and then rearwardly, as shown at 5, and then is brought downwardly and forwardly, as shown at 6, the lowest point 7 of this downwardly and forwardly extending portion being deflected laterally slightly, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, so that this curved intermediate portion of the track will describe a complete spiral turn. From the point 7, the track extends laterally in a semicircular form, as shown at 8, and then extends downwardly and rearwardly on an inclined plane 9 which may terminate below the starting platform or at some other point,

as may be preferred, the terminal of said inclined portion 9 being preferably located at the foot of the derrick or support 3 so that the car may run free for a short distance and thereby add to the amusement of the r child using the toy. I have shown, a tower 10 supporting the laterally curved portion 8 of the track and it will be understood that other supports may be provided as may seem desirable. The track sections are provided adjacent their longitudinal edges with depressed portions 11 which present grooves or guides 12 in theupper surface of the track to receive the wheels 13 of the car, indicated at 14:. Midway betweenthe sides of the car,

I provide on the bottom of the same an inverted T-shaped rib or lug 15 which is adapted to enter between and engage under the overhanging flanges16 formed centrally upon the track and coextensive with the semi-circular portion 8 of the same, as shown in Fig. 2. The ends of these overhanging flanges or ribs 16 will be beveled or flared, as indicated at 17 so as to facilitate the entrance of the rib or lug 16 between the flanges and also avoid choking or stoppage of the car at the discharge ends of said ribs or flanges. Rollers 18 will also beprovided on the ends of this rib to minimize the frictional wear upon the same and the track.

The operation of the device is thought to be obvious. The car is set on the track at the starting platform, or thehighest point of the inclined portion 2, and will roll down the said inclined portion by the action of gravity. The car should be heavy enough to acquire considerable momentum in its passage down the inclined plane 2 so that it will travel up the vertical portion 4 and then across the rearwardly extending portion 5 without being released from the track, and it will then, of course, descend the portion 6 of the track and pass out from the spiral over the lateral portion 8. As the car approaches the laterally extending portion 8,

the rib or lug 15 will enter between the p flanges, ribs or guides16 and the car will,

consequently, be positively guided over and onto said laterally extending portion and willbe prevented from jumping the track and so being damaged. 7

My device is exceedingly simple in the construction and arrangement of its parts and may be produced at avery slight cost. By the use of this toy, young children may be amused for a considerable period without 7 tiring and may operate the device without demanding the attention of older persons, inasmuch as the car will come to rest near *child to quickly become tired throughrthe. exertion of running after the car and bringthe starting point instead of being carried a considerable dlstance from said point, as was the case with devices of similar character heretofore produced and which caused the ing it back to the starting point. The means for retaining the car on the track adds to the usefulness and durability of the device, inasmuch as the car is positively prevented from jumping the track and, therefore, the toy will not be so quickly rendered useless as has been the case heretofore.

Having thus described the invention, wha is claimed as new is: v

1. 'An amusement apparatus comprising a track and a'ca'r adapted to run'over the track, the track consisting of a steep starting inclined plane, a vertically disposed spiral portion extending from the bottom of said inclined plane, and a return inclined plane extending from the said spiral portion intermediate the highest and lowest point of the same.

2. An amusement apparatus comprising a track and a car adapted to run over the track, the track consisting of a steep starting inclined plane, a vertically disposed spiral portion rising from the lower end of said inclined plane, a return portion extending laterally from the said spiral portion inter mediate the highest and lowest points of the same, and an inclined plane extending from the said laterally extending portion in a direction reverse to the starting inclined plane.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising a track and a car adapted to run on the track, the track consisting of a starting inclined plane, a vertically disposed spiral portion rising from the lower end of said inclined plane,a curved track portion extending from Y surface of said laterally extending portion of the track between the sides of the same, and a car adapted to travel on said track and having a depending member adapted to enter between and engage said guides whereby to retain the car on the track;

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

EDGAR aconnr. 1 8.]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

